Michael M Mccall

US Patent:

6739140, May 25, 2004

Filed:

Sep 18, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/246954

Inventors:

William M. Bishop - Katy TX
Michael M. McCall - Houston TX

Assignee:

Conversion Gas Imports, L.P. - Houston TX

International Classification:

F17C 100

US Classification:

62 531

Abstract:

Stranded natural gas is sometimes liquefied and sent to other countries that can use the gas in a transport ship. Conventional receiving terminals use large cryogenic storage tanks to hold the liquefied natural gas (LNG) after it has been offloaded from the ship. The present invention eliminates the need for the conventional cryogenic storage tanks and instead uses uncompensated salt caverns to store the product. The present invention can use a special heat exchanger, referred to as a Bishop Process heat exchanger, to warm the LNG prior to storage in the salt caverns or the invention can use conventional vaporizing systems some of which may be reinforced and strengthened to accommodate higher operating pressures. In one embodiment, the LNG is pumped to higher pressures and converted to dense phase natural gas prior to being transferred into the heat exchanger and the uncompensated salt caverns.

US Patent:

6813893, Nov 9, 2004

Filed:

Mar 7, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/384156

Inventors:

William M. Bishop - Katy TX
Michael M. McCall - Houston TX

Assignee:

Conversion Gas Imports, L.L.C. - Houston TX

International Classification:

F17C 100

US Classification:

62 531

Abstract:

The Flexible Natural Gas Storage Facility stores natural gas in one or more man-made salt caverns typically located in a single salt dome or in bedded salt. The Flexible Natural Gas Storage Facility can access different sources of natural gas. A first gas source is from a natural gas pipeline(s) and a second gas source is from LNG. Depending on economic conditions, supply conditions and other factors, the Flexible Natural Gas Storage Facility can receive gas from the natural gas pipeline(s) and/or from LNG to fill the salt caverns. Of course, the LNG must be warmed before being stored in a salt cavern.

US Patent:

6848502, Feb 1, 2005

Filed:

Aug 28, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/604947

Inventors:

William M. Bishop - Katy TX, US
Michael M. McCall - Houston TX, US

Assignee:

Conversion Gas Imports, L.P. - Houston TX

International Classification:

F28D 710
F17C 702
F17C 100

US Classification:

165154, 62 501, 62 506, 62 507, 62 531

Abstract:

Stranded natural gas is sometimes liquefied and sent to other countries that can use the gas in a transport ship. Conventional receiving terminals use large cryogenic storage tanks to hold the liquefied natural gas (LNG) after it has been offloaded from the ship. The present invention eliminates the need for the conventional cryogenic storage tanks and instead uses uncompensated salt caverns to store the product. The present invention can use a special heat exchanger, referred to as a Bishop Process heat exchanger, to warm the LNG prior to storage in the salt caverns or the invention can use conventional vaporizing systems some of which may be reinforced and strengthened to accommodate higher operating pressures. In one embodiment, the LNG is pumped to higher pressures and converted to dense phase natural gas prior to being transferred into the heat exchanger and the uncompensated salt caverns.

US Patent:

6880348, Apr 19, 2005

Filed:

Oct 15, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/686450

Inventors:

William M. Bishop - Katy TX, US
Michael M. McCall - Houston TX, US

Assignee:

Conversion Gas Imports, L.P. - Houston TX

International Classification:

F17C001/00

US Classification:

62 531, 405 53

Abstract:

Stranded natural gas is sometimes liquefied and sent to other countries that can use the gas in a transport ship. Conventional receiving terminals use large cryogenic storage tanks to hold the liquefied natural gas (LNG) after it has been offloaded from the ship. The present invention eliminates the need for the conventional cryogenic storage tanks and instead uses uncompensated salt caverns to store the product. The present invention can use a special heat exchanger, referred to as a Bishop Process heat exchanger, to warm the LNG prior to storage in the salt caverns or the invention can use conventional vaporizing systems some of which may be reinforced and strengthened to accommodate higher operating pressures. In one embodiment, the LNG is pumped to higher pressures and converted to dense phase natural gas prior to being transferred into the heat exchanger and the uncompensated salt caverns.

US Patent:

6945055, Sep 20, 2005

Filed:

Apr 16, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/709153

Inventors:

William M. Bishop - Katy TX, US
Michael M. McCall - Houston TX, US

Assignee:

Conversion Gas Imports, L.P. - Houston TX

International Classification:

F17C001/00

US Classification:

62 531, 62 451

Abstract:

The Dual Gas Facility stores natural gas in one or more man-made salt caverns typically located in a single salt dome or in bedded salt. The Dual Gas Facility can access different sources of natural gas. A first gas source is from a natural gas pipeline(s) and a second gas source is from LNG. Depending on economic conditions, supply conditions and other factors, the Dual Gas Facility can receive gas from the natural gas pipeline(s) and/or from LNG to fill the salt caverns. Of course, the LNG must be warmed before being stored in a salt cavern.

US Patent:

7036325, May 2, 2006

Filed:

Mar 29, 2005

Appl. No.:

10/907330

Inventors:

William M. Bishop - Katy TX, US
Michael M. McCall - Houston TX, US

Assignee:

Conversion Gas Imports, L.P. - Houston TX

International Classification:

F17C 1/00

US Classification:

62 531, 62 451

Abstract:

The Dual Gas Facility stores natural gas in one or more man-made salt caverns typically located in a single salt dome or in bedded salt. The Dual Gas Facility can access different sources of natural gas. A first gas source is from a natural gas pipeline(s) and a second gas source is from LNG. Depending on economic conditions, supply conditions and other factors, the Dual Gas Facility can receive gas from the natural gas pipeline(s) and/or from LNG to fill the salt caverns. Of course, the LNG must be warmed before being stored in a salt cavern.

US Patent:

20040250553, Dec 16, 2004

Filed:

Jun 25, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/877453

Inventors:

William Bishop - Katy TX, US
Michael McCall - Houston TX, US

International Classification:

F17C009/02
F17C001/00
F28D007/10

US Classification:

062/050200, 062/053100, 165/154000

Abstract:

Stranded natural gas is sometimes liquefied and sent to other countries that can use the gas in a transport ship. Conventional receiving terminals use large cryogenic storage tanks to hold the liquefied natural gas (LNG) after it has been offloaded from the ship. The present invention eliminates the need for the conventional cryogenic storage tanks and instead uses uncompensated salt caverns to store the product. The present invention can use a special heat exchanger, referred to as a Bishop Process heat exchanger, to warm the LNG prior to storage in the salt caverns or the invention can use conventional vaporizing systems some of which may be reinforced and strengthened to accommodate higher operating pressures. In one embodiment, the LNG is pumped to higher pressures and converted to dense phase natural gas prior to being transferred into the heat exchanger and the uncompensated salt caverns.